Coin-operated magneto-bell for telephones.



No. 665,834. Patented Ian. 8, I90l. H. R. MASON.

COIN OPERATED MAGNETD B ELL FOR TELEPHONES.

(Application filed June 16, 18994) (No Model.) H r -V- .1 76 O m?- f I4/ 6 Q i Q F11 I0 f ll 7' l i zs- .i qf s l i qwi-bvwdoeo v 95 1 4.50 fim-0221,6244. Ztfi UNITED STATES PATENT GEEICE.

l-IEBER R. MASON, OF LUDINGTON, MICHIGAN.

COIN-OPERATED MAGNETO-BELL FOR TELEPHONES.

Application filed June 16, 1899. serial No. 720,757. (No model.

T at; whont it may concern:

Be it known that I, HEBER R. MASON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Ludington, in the county of Mason and State of Michigan,have invented new and useful Improvements in Coin-Operated Magneto-Bellsfor Telephones, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in coin-operated magneto-bells fortelephones, with especial reference to that class of telephones in.which a uniform fee is required for each call.

The object. of my invention is to provide for a prepaid call servicewhich may be attended to by the operator at the central office withoutloss of time other than that required to make the desired connection andin which the coin will be returned to the user in case such connectioncannot be made, regard being had for accuracy and certainty in theperformance of the desired functions, whereby mistakes will be avoidedand fraud prevented in connection with the use of the device.

My invention includes the provision of means whereby the deposit of thecoin is required to enable the user to ring up the central office,together with means for indicating the presence of the coin to thecentral operator, means controlled by such operator for accepting thecoin by permitting the same to enter the till, and means for returningthe coin to the user when the desired connection cannot be secured.

In the following description reference is had to the accompanyingdrawings,in which- Figure 1 is a front view of an ordinary form ofbridging magneto-bell with my invention applied thereto, the door of thegeneratorcasing being open. Fig. 2 is a detail side view of the upperend of the coin-chute.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the same, drawn on line m 00 of Fig.2. Fig. 4 is a side view of the lower end of the chute, showing thecoin-retaining electrodes and releasingplates with one of the latterpartially broken away. Fig. 5 is a side view of a portion of the chute,showing the swinging lid for supporting the electrodes of themagneto-generator. Fig. 6 isa crosssectional view drawn on line y y ofFig. 5.

Like parts are identified by the same reference characters throughoutthe several views.

The magneto-generator 1 and bell mech= anism 2, together with thereceiver 3, transmitter 4-, and other parts usually pertaining Y to asubscribers telephone, may be of any ordinary construction.

5 is the switch-lever for switching the signaling and talking mechanisminto and out of the circuit of the main linein the usual man'- ner-,thelever being provided with the actuat ing-spring 6 andreceiver-supporting hook 7; but it will be observed thatl have locatedthis lever below the generator 1 and have pro vided the same at its rearend with an arm 8, which is utilized for actuating the coin-controllingdevices of the coin-chute.

9 is the coin-chute, located in the generator-casing and having anangular portion 10, which communicates with a slot 11 in the easing,through which the coins are deposited in the chute. The part ispreferably provided with side openings 12 sufficiently large to permitcoins of less than the proper size to fall out of the chute, this beingfacilitated by providing the under side or base of the part 7 with aridge 13, over which the coins roll and which tends to make them falllaterally through the openings. A lid 14, hinged at 15 to the side ofthe coin-chute, is connected with the switch-arm 8 by a rod 16, so thatwhen'the receiver 3 is removed from the hook and the lever 5automatically raised by the spring 6 the lid 14 will be swung outwardlyfrom the chute on its supporting-hinge, while the reverse movement ofthe switch-lever will be communicated to draw the lid downwardly againstthe side of the chute. The lid 14 is provided with studs 17 and 18,which in the construction shown in the drawings are insulated from thelid and respectively connected with the conductors 19 and 20 of thegenerator-circuit, so as to constitute the poles of such circuit. Itwill be observed that the conductors of the generator-circuit arearranged in. the customary manner, the conductor 22 being connected withthe line 23 and the line 41 being connected with switch-lever 5, whichwhen down is adapted to contact with the condoctor 52, the latter beingalso in electrical communication with the conductor 19 through the hinge53. The ringers of the bell mechanism 2 have the usual resistance of anordinary bridgingbell and are connected, as usual, through theconductors 54 23 and the other electrical connections above mentioned.When the lid is down, the electrodes 17 and 18 project through anopening 21 in the side of the chute in a position to intercept and stopa coin in its passage through the same, the two electrodes beingarranged to cooperate in supporting the coin. The coin is thus utilizedas a switch to bridge the intervening space, close thegenerator-circuit, and permit the user to signal the central office.After signaling the central oifice the receiver 3 is taken from the hook7 in the usual manner, when the lever 5 is automatically lifted by thespring 6 and its motion communicated to the lid 14 and electrodes 17 and18 through the medium of the switch-arm 8 and rod 16 to swing the lidoutwardly and withdraw the electrodes from the chute, when the coin isreleased and permitted to drop to the bottom of the chute. Thegenerator-circuit is thus automatically opened by the release of thecoin simultaneously with the movement of the lever 5, switching thetalking mechanism into the circuit of the main line and cutting out theringing-circuit. At the same time an arm 24, carried by the lid 14, ismoved inwardly through an aperture in the chute and serves as a stop toprevent the passage of any additional coins until the switch-lever 5 isrestored to its original position, in which it is normally held by thereceiver 3.

The lower end of the chute is provided with swinging end plates 26 and27, hinged thereto and forming a continuation of the chute when in theirclosed positions. A spring 28, lo cated on the hinge-pin of the plate26, tends to swing the latter outwardly; but it will be observed thatthe plate is secured to a rod 29, which projects loosely through anopening 30 in the arm 8 of the switch-lever and is pro vided with a head31 larger than the opening. This rod 29 is of such length that when thelever 5 is depressed the plate 26 is drawn to its closed position in theplane of the side of the chute. On the other hand, when the lever 5 israised the rod is free to slide through the opening 30 in the arm 8without actuating the plate, which when in its closed position isadapted to be engaged and held in such position by a latch 32, carriedby a springactuated armature-lever 33 of an electromagnet 34. A rod 35is secured to the plate 27 and provided with a latch 36, adapted toengage a catch 37, carried by the arm 8 of the switch-lever when thelever is in its raised position. When the lever is depressed, the

arm 8 first draws upon this rod 35 to swing the plate 27 outwardly, whena stirrup 38, carried by the arm 8 and through which the rod 35 passes,lifts the rod and releases the latch 36 from the catch 37 and allows theplate 27 to swing downwardly by gravity to its normal position. Thehinge of this plate may, however, be provided with a closingspringsimilar to the spring which tends to open the plate 26.

It will be observed that the plates 26 and 27 are provided,respectively, with springelectrodes 39 and 40, between which the coin isadapted to become wedged on dropping from the electrodes 17 and 18 ofthe ringingcircnit. When in contact with the electrodes 39 and 40, thecoin serves as a switch to close a short circuit of the line-Wires 23and 41, through the conductors 2 and 42, electrode 40, coin, electrode39, conductor 43, electromagnet 34, and conductor 44. The resistance ofthe electromagnet 34 is such that the currents of the talking-circuitsare not entirely shunt-ed through it. Hence the subscriber or user canbe heard at the central office in calling for the desired connection,and the faint character of the transmitted sounds will indicate to theexchange operator the presence of thecoin. Bypressinguponthe'ringing-keyof the central-office switchboaid the central operatorcan, when ready to make the desired connection, switch the generators ofthe central office into circuit with the line in the same manner as whencalling the subscriber, and thus energize the electromagnet 34sufficiently to cause the depression of the armature 33, when the plate26 is released from the latch 32, and as the lever 5 is then in itsraised position the plate is swung outwardly by the spring 28 and thecoin discharged from between the electrodes 39 and 40, when it drops tothe till 55 through a chute 45. It will of course be understood that anymeans under the control of the central operator for sending currentsthrough the line to energize the electromagnet 34 will accomplish mypurpose in this regard. The release of the coin breaks the shunt-circuitthrough the electromagnet 34 and leaves the telephone in condition foruse in the ordinary manner. When the receiver 3 is again hung upon thehook 7 of the switch-lever 5, the downward movement of the latter iscommunicated to the plate 26 through the arm 8 and rod 29 to close theplate against the tension of its actuatingspring, when thearmature-latch 32 rengages the lower end ofthe plate. If, however, thecentral operator should fail to make the desired connection or if forany reason the user should hang up the receiver before the connection ismade, (or before the coin is released by energizing the electromagnet34,) the coin will then be returned to the user by the action of the rod35 in retracting the plate 27 to release the coin from between theelectrodes 39 and 40 on the opposite side of the chute, for a coin soreleased is permitted to drop through a chute 46 into an exterior cup47.

It will be observed that the rods 16, 29, and 35 are provided withlink-nuts 48 and the armature 33 with an adjusting-screw 49, cooperativewith the spring 50 for holding the armature in the proper position. Withthese devices an exact adjustment of the apparatus is possible.

The resistance of the electromagnet 34 is indicated at eighty ohms. Withthe ordinary telephonic apparatus now in use this will be foundsufficient to prevent the entire current from short-circuiting throughthe coin and magnet; but the current of the line will. be so reduced asto indicate clearly from the character of the sounds transmitted thatthe coin is in place, while still permit-ting conversation between theuser and the central operator. I do not, however, limit the scope of myinvention to include the specific form of resistance afforded by theelectromagnet, forit is obvious that any means for providing aresistance in the short-circuit conductors suflicient to prevent cuttingout the talking-circuits to an extent which would preclude conversationbetween the user and the central operator might be substituted for orused as an auxiliary to the electromagnet, if desired; but as theelectromagnet affords a convenient means for operating thelatch whichholds the plate for producing the required degree of resistance in theshort circuit.

It will of course be understood that calls originatingin the centraloffice are unaftected by my apparatus, the circuit of the line throughthe bells of the local stationbeing completed through the conductor 23,bell mechanism 2, conductors 54 and 52, switch 5, and conductor 41 inthe usual manner.

Briefly reviewing the operation of my device and assuming that a call isto be made from a station equipped therewith, the coin is first droppedinto the chute to establish the ringing-circuit of the generator, whenthe bell is rung and the receiver lifted from the hook in the customarymanner. The talking-circuits of the telephone are then automaticallyswitched into the circuit of the main line by the spring-actuatingswitch-lever 5, and the lid 1s actuated therefrom to release the coin byretracting the studs 17 and 18, when the coin is permitted to drop tothe lower end of tliexchute, cutting out the ringing-circuit and closingthe shunt-circuit through the electromagnet 34. The subscriber theninforms the operator at the central office of the connection desired,the character of the transmitted sounds indicating the presence of thecoin. The central operator when ready to make the desired connectionfirst momentarily actuates the switchboard ringing-key, and therebyenergizes the electromagnet 34C to depress the armature 33, when thespring-actuated plate 26 swings outwardly and discharges the coin intothe till. The connection desired by the subscriber is then made. If thedesired connection cannot be made, the central operator does not operatethe ringing-key, and the coin is therefore not discharged into the till.The subscriber may then depress the lever 5 either by returning thereceiver in 26 it may also be conveniently utilizedthe hook orotherwise, when the plate 27 is actuated to discharge the coin throughthe chute 46 into the cup 47.

While I have shown and described my invention as applied to a magnetobridging-bell of ordinary construction, it is obvious that the same maywith slight modifications be used in connection withany ordinary form ofelectrical telephone, when either the weight of the coin or the materialcomposing the same maybe utilized to complete the ringingcircuit of thegenerator.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination with the magneto;generator of a snbscribers or userstelephone, means, subject to the control of the user, for utilizing acoin to bridge the ringingcircuit of the generator; means forsubsequently utilizing such coin to partially short-circuit thetelephone mechanism from the conductors of the main line; and anelectromagnetic device, controlled by the central operator fordischarging the coin from said last-mentioned position to the till.

2. The combination with the magneto-generator, bells and other ordinarytelephonic apparatus of a subscribers or users telephone; of means forreceiving and supporting a coin in a position to partially short-circuitthe telephone mechanism from the conductors of the main line; and meansfor releasing the coin from such position.

3. The combination, with the magneto-generator, bells and other ordinarytelephonic apparatus of a subscribers or users telephone; of means forreceiving and supporting a coin in a position to short-circuit thetelephone mechanism from the conductors of the main line; a resistanceincluded in said short circuit; and means for releasing the coin fromsuch position.

4. The combination with the magneto-generator, bellsand other ordinarytelephonic apparatus of a subscribers or users telephone; of means forreceiving and supporting the coin in a position to partiallyshort-circuit the telephone mechanism from the conductors of the mainline; means adapted to be controlled by the operator at the centraloffice, for discharging the coin from such position to the till; andalternative means adapted to be controlled by the subscriber forregaining the coin if not dischargedinto the till.

5. The combination, with the magneto-generator, bells and other ordinarytelephonic apparatus of a subscribers or users telephone; of acoin-chute; mechanism arranged in connection therewith for utilizing acoin in the chute to switch the magneto-generator into and out of theringingcircnit; means for receiving and supporting the coin in aposition to partially short-circuit the telephone mechanism from theconductors of the main line; and means for releasing the coin from suchposition.

and alternative means for discharging the coin into the till or to theexterior.

7. The combination with the magneto-generator, bells, and other ordinarytelephonic apparatus of a subscribers or users telephone; of movablecoin-supporting electrodes included in the ringing-circuit of thegenerator, and adapted to receive and support a coin in a position toclose said circuit; a switch controlling the talking-circuits of thetelephone; connections adapted to be actuated by said switch fortemporarily-retracting said electrodes and releasing the coin;electrodes adapted to receive and temporarily hold a coin released fromthe electrodes of the ringing-circuit, in a position to short-circuitthe telephone mechanism from the conductors of the main line; a magnetincluded in said short circuit; an armature therefor, provided with alatch adapted to temporarily hold one of the electrodes in position toreceive the coin; and connections adapted to actuate both of saidlast-mentioned electrodes from the switch of the talking-circuits.

8. In acoin-operated magneto-bell mechanism, the combination with acoin-chute; of electrodes included in the ringing-circuit of themagneto-generator, and removably interposed in the path of a coinpassing through the chute; a lever connected with said electrodes andadapted to actuate the same; conductors adapted to form a short circuitto partially cut out the telephone mechanism from the conductors of themain line, with poles in the path of a coin released from theringing-circuitelectrodes, and means, adapted to be controlled by theoperator at the central station, for discharging the coin from contactwith said poles into the till.

9. In a coin-operated magneto-bell mechanism; the combination with acoin-chute; of electrodes included in the ringing-circuit of themagneto-generator, and removably interposed in the path of a coinpassing through the chute; a lever connected with said electrodes andadapted to actuate the same; conductors adapted to form a short circuitto partially cut out the telephone mechanism from the conductors of themain line, with poles in the path of a coin released from theringing-circuit electrodes; means adapted to be controlled by theoperator at the central station,for discharging the coin from contactwith said poles into the till and alternative means, controlled by theuser, for regaining the coin when not discharged into the till.

10. In a coin-operated magneto-bell mechanism, the combination with acoin-chute; of electrodes included in the ringing-circuit of themagneto-generator, and removably interposed in the path of a coinpassing through the chute; a switch controlling the talkingcircuits ofthe telephone, connected with said electrodes and adapted to actuate thesame; end plates hinged to the lower end of the chute and provided withelectrodes included in a short circuit of the line, and adapted toreceive and hold the coin when released from the electrodes of theringing-circuit, in a position to partially cut out the telephonemechanism from the conductors of the main line; a spring adapted toactuate one of said plates to release the coin; an electromagnetincluded in said short circuit; an armature therefor, adapted to holdsaid end plate against the tension of the actuating-spring; and rodsconnected with both of said end plates,and adapted to be actuated by theswitch of the talking-circuits.

11. In a coin-operated magneto-bell mechanism, the combination with acoin-chute; of electrodes included in the ringing-circuit of themagneto-generator, and removably interposed in the path of a coinpassing through the chute; a switch, controlling the talkingcircuits ofthe telephone, and connected with said electrodes and adapted to actuatethe same; end plates hinged to the lower end of the chute and providedwith electrodes ineluded in a normally open short circuit of the line,and adapted to receive and hold the coin when released from theelectrodes of the ringing-circuit, in a position to close said shortcircuit and partially cut out the telephone mechanism from theconductors of the main line; a spring adapted to actuate one of saidplates to release the coin; an electromagnet included in said shortcircuit; an armature therefor adapted to hold said end plate against thetension of the actuating-spring; and a rod connected with thespring-actuated plate, and adapted to be actuated by the switch of thetalking-circuits to close said end plate against the tension of itsactuating-spring.

12. In a coin-operated magneto-bell mechanism the combination with acoin-chute, of electrodes included in a short circuit of thetelephone-line wires, and adapted to receive and temporarily support acoin dropped into the chute; means adapted to be controlled by theoperator at the central oftice for retracting one of said electrodes, todeliver the coin into the till; and alternative means controlled by thesubscriber, for retracting the other of said electrodes to deliver thecoin to the exterior.

-In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 8th day of June,1899.

HEBER R. MASON.

Witnesses:

HOMER S. PACE,

R. R. WHEELER.

